Social Worker II

A. Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit

This Social Worker is assigned to the Work First/ Child Care Unit, which is a part of Nash County Department of Social Services. The primary purpose of the Work First/ Child Care Unit is to carry out the agency's mandate to assist Work First Family Assistance (WFFA) recipients in becoming self-sufficient. The Work First program is designed to enable WFFA recipients to become self-sufficient and self-supporting. The program strives to improve the employability of WFFA recipients through focused, intensive employment services, and the provision of supportive services. The program also provides services to assist clients under 200% of the Poverty level with expenses incurred in the retention of employment which enables them to remain off of public assistance. The program is designed to complement and coordinate with other community agencies aimed at helping individuals secure and maintain employment. In addition, the unit arranges child care for families in order to support employment, training, protective services and other services to allow a child to remain in his own home. Employees in this unit are responsible for entering and processing necessary information into NC FAST as required.

B. Primary Purpose of Position

The position serves as a facilitator, advocate, information and referral source and linking mechanism between the client and the agency, as well as other agencies. The position specializes in initial crisis intervention; stabilizing the situation through agency programs and refers client to short term relief until agency programs can be implemented to offer long term relief.

The Social Worker serves as backup to Work First Employment recipients to improve the quality of their lives by achieving new levels of independence from public assistance through education, training, and employment. Utilizing the support services of the Work First program and resources in the community, the worker aims at assisting the client to explore their assets and deficits and to plan a remediation program aimed at mutually agreed goals, ending ultimately in employment and some measure of relief from dependence on public assistance.

C. Work Schedule

Work hours are generally from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. In emergency situations, overtime may be required, for which the worker will earn comp time.

The following is a description of the responsibilities and duties of this position. All responsibilities and duties described are essential to the effective performance of the Social Worker II.

The Social Worker will assess the client's situation including household composition, family relationships, child care and transportation arrangements, educational achievements, employment history and goals, skills and abilities are evaluated. Identification of simple and complex barriers to employment is made and the change potential of the problem-person-environment situation. Prioritization of these needs must be completed. The on-going assessment process will be an essential piece in successfully moving the client towards self-sufficiency.

The Social Worker is the portal of entry into the system. The caseworker accepts and processes the initial application or makes appropriate referrals for any program for which a client chooses to apply. The programs include: Energy Assistance, Emergency Assistance, and other programs. This individual must be familiar with service eligibility requirements and completes initial eligibility for most applications. The caseworker will process and determine eligibility, as well as process applications and redeterminations in NC Fast. The processing phase involves investigating the availability of resources and income for the applicant and the compliance with program requirements. The worker in this position is responsible for screening and gathering information needed to apply for the crisis programs, as well as informing them of the requirements they must meet in order to receive payment.

The Social Worker is responsible for completing and processing referrals for Emergency Assistance (EA) funds to help with rent, utilities, food and prescriptions in accordance with current policies.

The Social Worker is responsible for referrals and processing of the Filling in the Gap (FIG) funds for emergency or crisis situations with utility bills, rent, medication, housing and other emergencies related to disasters. Referrals are also made to other CIP/LIEAP Energy programs and other community resources.

The Social Worker has the responsibility of screening clients who request assistance with burials. Employee gathers pertinent information regarding this request and determine family eligibility for the services. This position also receives referrals and works closely with local hospitals and funeral homes to assist with unclaimed bodies that falls under the mandated service. The Social Worker arranges final disposition of the abandoned unclaimed body by cremation, hydrolysis or burial.

The Social Worker routinely establishes working relationships with others within the agency and outside disciplines to provide planning, coordination and service delivery to the client. Included in this group are Income Maintenance and Services staff at Social Services, NC Works, the local community college, the Department of Labor, Vocational Rehabilitation, and other community public and private agencies. This consultation assures the access of resources for the client and the implementation of the most beneficial individual contract. Consultations help the community avoid duplication of resources/services.

This position will serve as back up for the Work First Employment Service worker. This includes case management duties for applicants/participants of Work First Employment Services. These activities are documented within NC Fast. The worker will manage and maintain all documentation and tracking necessary under program guidelines.

The worker is required to keep abreast of all policy changes and to operate within the guidelines set by the Department of Health and Human Services regarding the program areas, the local Social Services Administration, State and Federal Authorities.

Employee will be expected to work in emergency shelters and/or perform related disaster tasks and perform other reasonable tasks requested by their immediate supervisor, program manager, deputy director or director.

E. Other Position Characteristics

1. Accuracy Required in Work

The highest degree of accuracy possible is required in the assessment of the client and in the establishment of a plan for self-sufficiency. Accuracy is of great importance also in the development and monitoring of service contracts, such as transportation agreements, must be diligent in order tocomply with local, state, and federal guidelines. Close liaison within the agency and outside agencies is necessary to avoid unapproved activities and expenses. If sponsors are not adequately instructed as to program requirements and purposes, the client and the program are at risk of exploitation.

1. Consequences of Error

Error in work can result in no services to clients, increased cost in service delivery, as well as delay in delivery of services to eligible clients. Errors may also reduce welfare savings and jeopardize transportation and child-care arrangements in which the agency may be sanctioned negatively by the state at an additional monetary cost to the county. State and federal mandated time limits also become an issue should errors occur. Errors may result in loss of funding, hardship for participant and audit findings.

1. Instructions Provided to Employee

Instructions are provided in written and oral form. Unit meetings are held monthly to develop and receive instructions on policies and procedures. Worker also has a scheduled monthly conference with supervisor. State and regional personnel in the Work First and Adult Services Programs Section through manuals and administrative letters also provide instructions. The worker attends appropriate workshops/trainingsregarding policy, procedure, and social work trends.

1. Guidelines, Regulations, Policies, and References Used by the Employee

Agency Personnel Handbook

Work First Program Manual

Energy Assistance Program Manual to include the programs of CIP, LIEAP and LIHWAP programs

NC FAST Help, Job Aids, Dear County Director Letters, listserv messages

Adult Services Manual

Child Day Care Manual

Instructions from Director, Deputy Director, Program Manager, Continuous Quality Improvement Specialist (CQIS), and Supervisor

1. Supervision Received by the Employee

The supervisor operates an "open-door" policy, addressing situations as they arise. An individual conference is scheduled on a monthly basis. Records are read at random by the supervisor to assure they are current and accurate.

1. Variety and Purpose of Personal Contacts

As a social worker dealing with the Work First/ Child Care Unit, the worker will maintain contact with the following units:

Work First Cash Assistance, Services Intake, Food and Nutrition Services, Child Welfare, Daycare, Child Support, Medicaid, and Administration.

The worker attends all unit meetings. In this manner, knowledge of program changes and necessary statistics can be known and maintained. The worker is available to make presentations to civic, social, and church groups, as well as local boards and agencies. Frequent contact is maintained with NC Works, the Community Colleges, the WIAO assessment center, the Department of Labor, Vocational Rehabilitation, Tri-County Industries, and work-site sponsors to coordinate activities and access resources for the client. The worker may attend Work Force Development Board meetings if necessary.

1. Physical Effort

The employee must be able to move within the agency, climb stairs, and use office equipment described in item 9 below. Employee must travel to meetings within the county as well as workshops and meetings out of the county. Overnight travel is sometimes necessary.

1. Work Environment and Conditions

Work is performed in a county social service agency. The employee has a private/semi private office within the agency to perform duties. The employee is occasionally exposed to infectious diseases such as scabies, head lice, flu, AIDS, etc. The worker may also encounter hostile clients. All staff is aware of precautions to take when such events occur.

1. Machines, Tools, Instruments, Equipment, and Materials Used

The worker is required to have a valid driver's license and have access to a vehicle. The worker will use telephones, files, file cabinet, computer, printer, scanner, and calculator in order to perform duties.

1. Visual Attention, Mental Concentration, and Manipulative Skills

Visual acuity to perform activities such as preparing and evaluating client data and information; dictating, retrieving computer information, extensive reading and writing, and operating motor vehicles is required with this position. This job requires close visual attention. The social worker must be able to focus and analyze while conducting assessment and case management duties. Intense mental concentration is required when evaluating client data and information, in development of a successful Mutual Responsibility Agreement, and when counseling with clients.

1. Safety for Others

The worker protects clients by abiding by the law of confidentiality, as well as when he reviews childcare plans, work-site conditions, and monitors transportation plans.

1. Dynamics of Work

Programs are periodically affected by changes in methodology, guidelines, legislation, and shifting program emphasis. The worker will receive guidance and appropriate supervision as these changes occur.

The Social Worker should have considerable knowledge of social work principles; techniques and practices and their application to specific casework, group work, or community problems. This knowledge is essential as the WFES Social Worker acts as a change agent when she assesses, motivates, and counsels clients regarding the value of work and economic self-sufficiency.

The Social Worker should possess considerable knowledge of community resources, the local labor market, and the economic plans for the area in order to guide the client in the direction of self-sufficiency.

The Social Worker should have the ability to advocate for the client in order toestablish an initial linkage between the client and existing resource systems that may lead to employment.

The Social Worker should have considerable knowledge of the laws, regulations and policies that govern the program and its application to specific case instances. The Work First program is a highly visible one and as such is subject to scrutiny by community client advocates, the media, businesses, and other interested parties.

The Social Worker should have considerable knowledge of human behavior and socioeconomic problems and their treatment. Such knowledge will be invaluable as the worker seeks to motivate clients from various backgrounds, circumstances, and abilities to seek and locate employment.

The Social Worker monitors work-site placements and counsels clients who have difficulty with work-related problems. The worker also shares program information with various community groups and agencies, and businesses. The worker should have general knowledge of conflict resolution methods, as well as an acute understanding of the characteristics of an effective employee.

The Social Worker has contact with clients who have various problems that may bring emotional devastation and the inability to meet life's tasks. To establish an effective worker/client relationship, the worker should have the ability to recognize, accept, and cope with anger, loss, hostility and pain a client may face in his day-to-day life.

The Social Worker is involved in all aspects of the helping process, collating resources, carrying out program duties and maintaining program integrity. The worker should have the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with administrative superiors, with members of the caseload and their families, and with civic, medical, religious, and social organizations as well as all community resources.

The Social Worker should have the ability to express ideas clearly and concisely and to plan and execute work effectively.

The Social Worker should have the ability to operate a motor vehicle.

Required Minimum Training

1. Bachelor's degree in social work from an appropriately accredited institution; bachelor's degree in a human services field from an appropriately accredited institution and one year of directly related experience; bachelor's degree from an appropriately accredited institution and two years directly related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

2. Valid NC Driver's License